Born in St Pancras, London, Nicolau started his career with Arsenal, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2001, but never broke into the first team after spending 10 years at the club.
[6] After five weeks of impasse, Southend United withdrew the offer[7] and Nicolau signed for Swindon Town the following day.
[8] He had a loan spell at Hereford United where he made 11 appearances, scoring 1 goal and was released by Swindon at the end of the 2005–06 season.
After a trial at Brighton & Hove Albion,[9] he moved on trial with Grimsby Town in August 2008 and played in a behind closed doors friendly against Winterton Rangers but despite impressing in the game, manager Alan Buckley decided to let Nicolau leave the club the following day.
Nicolau re-signed for the Bees in September 2008, turning down an offer from Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus as he would have to complete national service,[10] before leaving the club for a third time at the end of the season.